Treasure Coast Week in Pictures (Nov. 11-17, 2012)

Addison Salzberg, 3, of Stuart plays on the swings at Kiwanis Youth Park at Woodlawn on Thursday afternoon.

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Madi Bell (back), of Jensen Beach High School, tips the over the net, in front of the block of Nicole Williams, of Bartram Trail High School, for the winning point in the Falcons' fourth game against the Bears on Wednesday afternoon. The Falcons will be playing in the FHSAA Class 5-A state finals on Thursday evening.

FILE PHOTO Election official Denise Ayala carefully examines hundreds of early voting ballots along with other poll workers and election officials at the St.Lucie County Supervisor of Elections office at the Orange Blossom Business Center during a voting re-count to determine the winner of the Fort Pierce Mayor race on Wednesday November 14, 2012.

Chuck William (top) and Ben Davison, both of Clark Sales Display, Inc., set the star in place Monday on top of the Christmas Tree being assembled on the roundabout at Avenue A and Indian River Drive in downtown Fort Pierce. Comprised of 30 pre-decorated pieces, the 26-foot-tall tree would take the crew about two hours to complete, according to Rick Bauer, also of Clark. The tree lighting will take place following the Sights & Sounds on Second Christmas Festival and Parade on Dec. 2. The festival will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the parade at 4:30 p.m. The tree lighting will be held immediately after the end of the parade. For more information, call 772-466-3880 or visit mainstreetfortpierce.org.

Retired Naval Commander Vincent Pearl, of Vero Beach, salutes during the playing of the National Athem by the Vero Beach High School Band during a Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary in Vero Beach where hundreds gathered Monday morning for the annual salute to members of the armed forces.

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Peter Rinelli, 11, of Fort Pierce, chops way at his third yellow onion while helping out for the Sun Grove Montessori School's annual Thanksgiving feast on Thursday. "It's fun," Rinelli said about chopping onions. "Your eyes start burning and it's pretty much very fun."

Joe Crankshaw, who served in the First Cavalry Division during the Korean War and is employed by Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers as a multimedia journalist, was the main speaker during the Veterans Day ceremony and rode as the Grand Marshal during the 2012 Veterans Day parade down East Ocean Boulevard in Stuart.

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Images from the Vero's win 24-10 over Palm Harbor on Friday, Nov. 16.

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Cate Vincent (left) laughs with her husband Robin as they talk next to their kiosk at the Indian River Mall on Tuesday afternoon. The Vincents have taken their Volkswagen Beetle, which they used to drive daily, and converted it into a kiosk to sell Cate's invention, the iHandle, from. Since their car is going to be in the mall for two months, the couple now ride bikes to and from work.

Dennis Petrinic (center), of Port St. Lucie, and Roger Gangitano (right), of Melbourne, yell at counter-protestors across 2nd Avenue in Downtown Fort Pierce during a demonstration Friday morning in front of the St. Lucie County Courthouse where Judge Dan Vaughn was going to hear an argument from the Allen West representatives requesting a recount of all early and absentee ballots in St. Lucie County. Judge Vaughn ruled against the request to recount all early ballots, stating that at this point it was to be decided by the St. Lucie County canvassing board which was meeting later in the day.

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Susie Caron of St. Lucie County lets out a quick cheer as the second of the three-member St. Lucie County canvassing board seconds the motion to approve a re-tabulation of all the early votes in St. Lucie County. The board made the decision shortly after 9 p.m. Friday night at the St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections office in Fort Pierce.

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Members of the varsity volleyball team from Jensen Beach High School celebrate the Falcons' win over Bartram Trail High School during the FHSAA Class 5-A state semifinals at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee on Wednesday afternoon.

Scott Van Duzer, president of The Van Duzer Foundation and owner of Big Apple Pizza and Pasta in Fort Pierce, reacts to being handed a key to the City of Port St. Lucie by Port St. Lucie City Council Vice Mayor Linda Bartz at the beginning of the council meeting Tuesday night in Port St. Lucie. Prior to the presentation of the key, the city council made a proclamation that Nov. 14, 2012 be observed as Be A Hero Blood Drive Day. The Scott Van Duzer Foundation will be partnering with other local businesses to present Be A Hero Day 2012 all day Wednesday with a goal of raising 2,012 units of donated blood. Big Apple Pizza and Pasta in Fort Pierce will be hosting the blood drive from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. where approximately 20 buses will be on hand to collect blood donations. Buses will also be staged at the St. Lucie Medical Center and at the Port St. Lucie City Hall from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.thevanduzerfoundation.org.

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Zach Finnegan (center), of the Sebastian River High School football team, sits on the sidelines following Heritage High School's third touchdown during the Sharks' playoff against the Panthers at Shark Stadium on Friday night.

Gladys Ferguson (right), a resident of Port St. Lucie and a staff member with Gary Law Firm, jokes with Latrez Smallwood, a parent advocate with Gertrude Walden Childcare Center, at the start of the seventh annual Thanksgiving Community Dinner at Gertrude Walden Childcare Center in Stuart Nov. 15. The center, along with the city of Stuart Community Services, Boys and Girls Clubs of Martin County, Christ Fellowship Church and Treasure Coast Presbyterian Church sponsored the event. Approximately 50 volunteers from those organizations and Jimmy's Bar-B-Que of Stuart cooked about 75 turkeys and served approximately 800 meals with all the traditional trimmings.

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Tigers leap through a ring of fire under the direction of Juergen (left) and Judit Nurger, tiger trainers from Germany, during the opening performance of the Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars at Digital Domain Field in Port St. Lucie in Thursday. . The circus , from Deland, features a range of animals including elephants, a dozen tigers , trained pink poodles, daredevil human performers including a human cannon ball. "This is a traditional American style circus," said Bill Carter, marketing manager. "We play only under a tent. We've been around since 1884. You're no more than 14 rows back from the action."

Artist Ginny Piech Street (center) of Vero Beach laughs with Edgar Straeffer as he tries to assemble a puzzle made by Piech Street titled "Verlene, Trixie and Gaynell Find a Photo Op," Wednesday night during one of the monthly Art Walks at Art Mundo in downtown Fort Pierce. The puzzle was one of eight art games that Piech Street created and displayed Wednesday evening in the third floor loft of the building. There were no rules to any of the games. Although some had clear objectives, others were open to interpretation. "It's all about throwing off the rules you've made for yourself and enjoying the moment," said Piech Street. An artist reception for an exhibit titled "Reflections of the Future," featuring work by Piech Street, Anita Prentice, Sabre Mochachino, Deena Wynne and Saskia Fuller, is open to the public Thursday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Platts/ Backus House in Historic Downtown Fort Pierce. The exhibit runs until 2 p.m. Friday.

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Shaquille Jones (second from right), of Heritage High School, breaks up a pass to Christopher Supplee (second from left), of Sebastian River High School, during the Sharks' game against the visiting Panthers on Friday night.

Christopher Hulka, a freshman at Indian River State College, performs with the IRSC symphonic band Friday at the McAlpin Fine Arts Center on the main campus of the college in Fort Pierce. The band's performance, titled "From Sea to Shining Sea," paid tribute to United States veterans and all things American. Following the band's performance, the college chorale presented musical selections from around the world.

Dominico Dokoupil (right), 9, of Port St. Lucie, gets a helping hand from upper elementary teacher Michele Gill while helping make pumpkin pies with classmates for Sun Grove Montessori's annual Thanksgiving feast on Thursday. " I like stiring it with the mixer," Dokoupil said about helping out. "It tastes good after it's made."

Kendall Bradley (center), a member of the varsity volleyball team from Jensen Beach High School, jumps into the arms of teammate Jen Chamberlin after the team's win over Merritt Island in the FHSAA 5A state finals on Thursday evening at Silver Spurs Arena.

Cynthia Boland (left), a former teacher at St. Edward's School, and her caregiver Rachael Carson-Zerbe marvel at some of the 50 decorated trees on display at the 15th annual Festival of Trees at the Agnes Wahlstrom Youth Playhouse and Anne Morton Theatre in Vero Beach. "This is so fun," said Carson-Zerbe. "Christmas is her favorite." The pair toured the event with friend and designer Ruth Ann Holt (not pictured).

Vero Beach Fighting Indian Dravious Wright looks for an opening while being pressured by Palm Harbor Hurricane Demetri Royer in the pouring rain during the Region 2-8A Quarterfinals won by Vero 24-10. The game was played at the Billy Livings Field in Vero Beach on Friday, Nov. 16.

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Evin Foster (center) and Ella Donaho, both of Jensen Beach High School, try to block the return of Sarah Ragland, of Bartram Trail High School during the FHSAA Class 5-A semifinals at Silver Spurs Arena on Wednesday afternoon.

Jeff Smith leads the parade performing his bagpipes in the Veterans Day parade in Stuart on Monday.

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Nancy Lucas (left) laughs as Fred Burkey, "Farmer Fred" on the MCTV "Your Florida Yard" show, entertains the audience during a discussion of hydroponics and how to grow vegetables in containers Tuesday at the Hobe Sound Library. "What I'm trying to do today is teach people how they can grow their own vegetables and not have to worry about having a big garden," said Burkey, an extension agent with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. The event was part of the extension office's Florida Yards and Neighborhoods lecture series.

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Jaime Chamberlin (left) and Kendall Bradley, members of the varsity volleyball team from Jensen Beach High School, dive for a ball during the Falcons' match against Merritt Island in the FHSAA 5A volleyball state finals at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee on Thursday evening.

Kevin Washington, of Deggeller Attractions in Stuart, sets up the Tiki Town funhouse while preparing for the upcoming 48th Annual St. Helen's Harvest Festival at Vero Beach Sports Village on Tuesday afternoon. The festival will be open Thursday from 5 P.M. to 9:30 P.M., Friday from 5 P.M. to 11 P.M., Saturday from noon to 11 P.M. and Sunday from noon to 6 P.M. Parking and admission to the festival is free.

Erika Malits, left, and Amy Kenney, both 8, ride the "Scooter" bumper cars at the 48th annual St. Helen's Harvest Festival at the Vero Beach Sports Village. The St. Helen Catholic School third-graders attended the festival with moms Karen Lalits and Elizabeth Kenney and sisters Monica Malits and Eizabeth Kenney.

Fort Pierce Central High School varsity cheerleader Wilmine Toussaint rallies up the crowd between rain showers early in the first quarter against Lemon Bay High School in a regional quarterfinal at Lawnwood Stadium in Fort Pierce on Friday.

Vero Beach Fighting Indian fans under pouring ran cheer on the Indians during the Region 2-8A Quarterfinals against Palm Harbor University High School. The game was played at the Billy Livings Field in Vero Beach on Friday, Nov. 16.

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Lynn Marie Saint-Vincent (from left), Ellen Bedford Ross and Carol Breining, members of the Military Moms Prayer Group, cut stars out of weathered flags in front of the Veterans' wall Thursday at the Veterans Center in the Indian River Mall in Vero Beach. The event had special significance for Ross whose grandmother, in the early 1900s, had worked at the Annin Flag Company cutting out stars to be made into flags. "Two generations later, I have sons in the Air Force, and here I am, cutting out stars - which my grandmother did," Ross said. The stars, with accompanying words of support, will be included with other items in the "Holidays for Heroes" packages that the prayer group is sending to our troops in the war zone. For information on how to help with the "Holidays for Heroes" program, visit www.militarymomsprayergroup.com.

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Carson MacCoy, 15 months, poses for his mom, Amy (not pictured) and dad Craig (right) following a ride on the carousel at the 48th annual St. Helen's Harvest Festival at the Vero Beach Sports Village.

Brooke Fasciana (center), a member of the varsity volleyball team from Jensen Beach High School, holds up a trophy with teammates after defeating Merritt Island in the FHSAA 5A state finals on Thursday evening at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.

United States Army Sergeant Albert Nadeau carries a wreath to the marker of Ronald Scott Owens of Vero Beach, an Electronic Warfare Technician 3rd Class with the U.S. Navy who was killed during an attack on the USS Cole in 2000, during the Veterans Day ceremony on Monday morning at Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary in Vero Beach.

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Lincoln Park Academy #3 Juan Morales moves the ball while being pressured on the right by Martin County High School Max Parr during the varsity soccer game played at Lawnwood Stadium soccer field in Fort Pierce on Thursday.

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Fort Pierce Central quarterback Sam Vaughn runs into Lemon Bay High School defenders during the opening quarter of a regional quarterfinal at Lawnwood Stadium in Fort Pierce on Friday.

Hilbert Williams (center), of Fellsmere, laughs with volunteers Jessica Dowell (left), 16, and Linda Barre, while picking up food for Thanksgiving at Operation Hope in Fellsmere on Saturday afternoon. "Indian River and Brevard counties came through wonderful," said Ruth Hills, warehouse manager at the facility. "The community pulled together." Four days ago, the facility only had roughly 40 turkeys to give to those in need. Once the word got out that more would be needed, nearly 350 additional turkeys were donated. "The general public, they have compassion for others," said Jesse Zermeno, president of Operation Hope.

Election official Clemmie Vincent sorts through hundreds of early voting ballots along with other poll workers and election officials at the St. Lucie County Supervisor of Elections office at the Orange Blossom Business Center during a voting re-count to determine the winner of the Fort Pierce Mayor race on Wednesday November 14, 2012.

Sharon Picariello , of Port St. Lucie, puts on her prized be a hero shirt after donating blood to Sherry Samsundar (left), donor service specialist with the Florida Blood Center, during the Van Duzer Foundation's fourth annual Be A Hero Day blood drive at Scott Van Duzer's Big Apple Pizza at 2311 South 35th Street in Fort Pierce on Wednesday. " My 16 year-old son is a brain cancer survivor and he had lots of blood transfusions while he was receiving chemotherapy," Picariello said. "So blood donations are very important to me because it's not my child I'm saving, it's probably somebody else's." Eighteen big reds busses from the Florida Blood Center were at Big Apple Pizza to receive the donations along with dozens of volunteers from across the community helping out. "It's the fourth Be A Hero ," Said Scott Van Duzer, of the Van Duzer Foundation . "This is the event we're most proud of because it makes such a bit impact locally. All the blood we collect stays right here first and foremost, with the trauma center now, the need is so great. The biggest thing we like here is 30 percent of the people who come out have never given blood before so the whole theme of Be A Hero and to educate people is working and that's what I'm most proud of."

Curtis Holbrook of Stuart smooths out a part for a new seat prototype during his work day Wednesday at PAC Seating Systems in Palm City. "I help design the parts that go into the seats," said Holbrook, a prototype technician, has worked for the growing, specialty company for more than two years. The manufacturing company, founded in 2002, makes high-end, custom, VIP seat products for aircrafts.

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Members of the Indian River State College Chorale perform under the direction of Dr. Dale Rieth Friday at the McAlpin Fine Arts Center on the main campus of the college in Fort Pierce.